"More a spiced tea than a chocolate tea... the foundation flavors here are from the chicory root, cardamom and licorice root. Chocolate flavoring here is a mere afterthought, if its detected at all." Stephen’s Teaview: 6/10 Your Reviews: 6/10 1 reader review | Add your review »

In my previous review of SpecialTeas’ Spicy Chocolate, I lamented that there wasn’t quite enough “spice” in the blend to actually merit the adjective.  So when I saw their Mocha Spice blend, I thought this might be just the tweak I was looking for.  A quick look at the ingredients shows that chicory root is the primary ingredient (as opposed to cocoa kernals in the Spicy Chocolate blend), with carob, cardamom, pepper, licorice root and valerian root following suit.

SpecialTeas describes it thusly:

“Naturally sweet with notes of chocolate, coffee and a touch of licorice and spice, this alternative tea is like a good comfort food and makes a great latte, hot or cold. This hearty blend contains a generous amount of chicory, a caffeine-free plant that has long been used to enhance the body, aroma and color of coffee. It boasts a faint licorice aroma and hints at flavors found in vintage treats. Soothing after a hard day and naturally caffeine-free so it will not keep you from your sleep.”

Admittedly, the first taste was a bit of a disappointment.  I was expecting a chocolate flavor similar to Spicy Chocolate, but its much more subdued in this blend.  (Yes, yes - just a look at the ingredients list should have prepared me for this, I know).  Rather this case is almost the exact opposite - much, much more spice than chocolate.  The primary flavors here are the chicory root, cardamom and licorice root, all three of which mix together to make a pleasant foundation.  The carob brings just a hint of chocolate flavor in the aftertaste, and if you allow a few moments between sips, the slight bitterness of the pepper will start to slowly build up on the tip of your tongue.

I added - as I always do with chocolate teas - a pinch of sugar and a splash of milk, and that seems to have drawn a bit more flavor from the carob, but I’d still say this is much more a spice tea than a mocha/chocolate tea.  Those who really enjoy spiced teas and aren’t all that enthusiastic about rich, chocolatey teas might find this a nice change of pace, or a nice, gradual introduction to the world of chocolate teas.  But anyone approaching this blend, as I did, thinking it would be more mocha than spice would likely be a bit disappointed.

All said, however, I enjoyed this tea.  I probably wouldn’t order it again, but that’s more a matter of personal taste than anything else.  I could very easily see this being a popular brew for chicory/spice lovers who enjoy just the tiniest hint of sweet chocolate in their tea.

Oh, and just as a post-script.  SpecialTeas offers very convenient 1/2oz “samplers” of most of their teas for just $1 apiece.  Most of their samplers contain enough tea to make at least 4-5 proper-sized cups of tea, but in this case there was barely enough to make two small cups.  Sort of a let-down, but oh well.

Who can complain for just a buck?

(Uh, besides me…)

— To purchase SpecialTeas Mocha Spice, or for more specific information on ingredients or the story behind this particular blend, click here to go directly to the manufacturer's web site.

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